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FIRS T L E T r E R
TO ]VI O N S I E U II
DE MERVEILLES
Written at Dehli, the 14th December 1064,
Aureng-Zebe being about to set forth.
Concerning the March of Aureng-Zebe. His Army, witli the
horse Artillery which as a rule he retains as a body-guard.
The Stale maintained by his principal Nobles. The causes
of ihe badness of the water, and various other details
worthy of note when travelling in the Indies.
SIEUR,
Since the time of Aureng-Zebe's recovery it had been
constantly rumoured that he intended to visit Lahor
and Kachemire, in order to benefit his health by change of
air and avoid the approaching summer heat, from which
a relapse might be apprehended. Many intelligent persons,
it is true, could scarcely persuade themselves that the King
would venture upon so long a journey while his father
remained a prisoner in the citadel of Agra. Considerations
of policy, however, have yielded to those of health ; if in¬
deed this excursion may not rather be attributed to the
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